Professional Staff Nurse- Emergency Referral Center

Join Our Team at UPMC Mercy supporting our Emergency Medicine team!

Are you passionate about caring for patients with psychiatric and substance use disorders? UPMC Mercy is seeking a full‑time experienced nurse to join our  Emergency Referral Center (ERC)team. This role will also float to work in the Emergency Department.

About the Evaluation Referral Center (ERC)

The ERC is an extension of UPMC Mercy’s Emergency Department and provides a secure, locked setting for patient evaluation by skilled clinicians. The ERC serves patients experiencing acute and/or chronic behavioral health or substance use disorders.
Our interdisciplinary team collaborates to assess patients, determine the appropriate level of care, and provides therapeutic interventions to patients in crisis.  We coordinate admissions, transfers, or discharges, working closely with Emergency Department staff. The ERC also supports involuntary commitments. Staff identify clinically appropriate alternatives to hospitalization such as intensive outpatient therapy.

Why Join Us?

• This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus of $15,000 paid to you within your first 90 days! 
• Career Growth: Advance your nursing practice in behavioral health within a specialized, high‑acuity setting.
• Flexible Shifts: Day and night rotating 12-hour shifts.
• Supportive Environment: ERC nurses practice with a high level of autonomy while being fully supported by an experienced interdisciplinary team.
• Excellence of Care: Mercy’s Emergency Department is a level one trauma, stroke, burn and geriatric center of care and has 36 beds. The Clinical Decision Unit is a 13-bed observation unit adjacent to the ED and ERC. All 3 work as one team to deliver life-changing medicine to the community.

Preferences:

• Experienced Registered Nurses (at least 1 year of RN work history) with Emergency Department or psychiatric experience preferred

If you are ready to make a meaningful impact and grow your career in behavioral health within a collaborative emergency care environment, we encourage you to apply!

Responsibilities:

• Actively participates in department or unit-specific quality improvement efforts. Identifies opportunity for quality improvement to colleagues and management. Takes personal responsibility in improving patient satisfaction with the quality of care and service. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to support improvement in clinical care: identifies research issues or articles related to clinical specialty or areas of interest, discusses opportunities for quality improvement at multidisciplinary rounds, and influences patients’ plans of care.
• Applies the nursing process within the framework of Relationship Based Care to create a healing environment. Formulates daily goals and a plan of care for patients that involves the patient as partner and considers the individual needs of the patient in a holistic manner. Demonstrates critical thinking in the identification of clinical, social, safety, psychological and spiritual issues for the patient care within an episode of care. Practices solid communication skills, and is able to articulate and translate the patient’s condition to other care providers and to negotiate and make recommendations for changes in patient care and unit practices. Patient documentation is comprehensive and promotes communication between caregivers. Incorporates national professional organization as well as business unit and health system’s goals to improve patient safety, quality and satisfaction. Creates a caring and compassionate patient focused experience by building healing relationships with patients, families and colleagues.
• Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by demonstrating accountability for actions, enthusiasm, motivation and commitment to patients and colleagues. Demonstrates an understanding of cultural differences and holds peers accountable for healthy relationships. Maintains a conscious balance between work and personal life. Models safe work hours, time management and healthy lifestyle. Communicates with peers and management any safety hazards identified in the workplace.
• Demonstrates accountability for professional development that improves the quality of professional practice and the quality of patient care. Actively participates in unit-based shared governance, goal setting and supports the change and transition process to improve quality of care and the practice environment. Serves as a highly engaged and full partner on the care team and responds willingly to care team member needs for assistance and partnership. Participates in work that improves patient care and the professional practice environment. Adapts to change and demonstrates flexibility with the change process.
• Demonstrates knowledge of adult learning principles (and/or teaching children if applicable) and applies in teaching of patients, families, students and new staff. Provides detailed and appropriate teaching to patients and families to effectively guide them through the episode of care as well as transition to another level of care and/or home. Supports the development of students, new staff and colleagues, may serve as a preceptor. Creates an environment of open dialogue, inquiry and continuous development by asking for feedback and improving practice.